Vanisri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vanisri
Born	Rathna Kumari Nellore, Madras State, India
Other names	Kalabhinetri
Occupation	Actress politician
Years active	1964–1980 1989–2004
Works	Full list
Spouse(s)	Dr. Karunakaran ​ (m. 1978)​
Awards	Filmfare Awards Nandi Award

Vanisri, whose birth name was Rathna Kumari, is a famous Indian actress. She is well-known for her roles in movies made in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada languages. Over her 40-year career, she won many important awards, including three Filmfare Awards South, the Nandi Awards, and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award.

Vanisri's Acting Journey

Vanisri started her acting career in 1962. Her first Telugu movie was Bhishma. She became more noticed after playing a supporting role in the film Sukha Dukhalu. This movie was written by the famous director K. Balachander. She also gained attention for her role in Marapurani Katha (1967).

Popular Movies and Roles

Vanisri starred in many very successful films. Some of these include Krishnaveni, Prem Nagar, and Dussehra Bullodu. She also appeared in Aradhana, Jeevitha Chakram, and Rangula Ratnam. Other popular movies were Sri Krishna Tulabharam, Bhakta Kannappa, and Bobbili Raja.

Playing Double Roles

Vanisri showed her talent by playing two characters in the same movie several times. She played dual roles in Iddaru Ammayilu (1972). This was a Telugu remake of a Kannada film called Kappu Bilupu. She also played double roles in Ganga Manga (1973), which was a remake of the Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta. Other films where she played two roles include Jeevana Jyothi (1975) and Chilipi Krishnudu (1978).

Working with Famous Actors

Vanisri worked with many top actors in the Indian film industry.

• She acted in three films with the actor M. G. R. These were Kannan En Kadhalan (1968), Thalaivan (1970), and Oorukku Uzhaippavan (1976).
• She made 20 Telugu films with Akkineni Nageshwara Rao.
• She also starred in 18 Telugu films with Super Star Krishna. Some of these movies were Marapurani Katha, Ganga Manga, Cheekati velugulu, and Illu Illalu.
• With Sivaji Ganesan, she acted in 10 films. These include Uyarntha Manithan (1968), Nirai Kudam (1969), Kulama Gunama (1971), and Vasantha Maligai (1972). Other films with Sivaji Ganesan were Sivakamiyin Selvan (1974), Vani Rani (1974), Rojavin Raja (1976), Ilaya Thalaimurai (1977), Punniya Boomi (1978), and Nallathoru Kudumbam (1979).

In 2013, Vanisri received the state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award. This award recognized her important contributions to Telugu cinema.

Vanisri's Personal Life

Vanisri married Dr. Karunakaran in 1978. After her marriage, she took a break from the film industry. She and her husband have a son and a daughter.

Vanisri returned to acting in 1989. She started taking on roles where she played mothers. One of her notable comeback films was Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989). She also appeared in the 1999 Hindi film Main Tere Pyar Mein Pagal. This movie was directed by Telugu director K. Raghavendra Rao.

Sadly, her son, Abhinaya Venkatesha Karthik, passed away at the age of 36 on May 23, 2020, due to a heart attack.

Awards and Recognitions

Vanisri has received many awards throughout her career for her acting and contributions to cinema.

More About Vanisri's Films